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Tag: Lionsgate

  • Disney, Fox, Lionsgate invest $50 million in Atom Tickets

    Disney, Fox, Lionsgate invest $50 million in Atom Tickets

    MUMBAI: Three Hollywood studios namely The Walt Disney Company, 20th Century Fox and Lionsgate have invested $50 million in a theatrical mobile ticketing platform and app company Atom Tickets.

    Atom Tickets is a social, mobile ticketing platform designed to make movie-going simple. Movie fans can use the service to purchase tickets and concessions, coordinate and invite friends without having to pay for them, and skip the lines at the theater. The app is available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

    “We’re thrilled to partner with some of the most forward-thinking media companies, exhibitors and trailblazers in the entertainment business. By bringing convenience to consumers and innovation to theaters, we will enhance the movie-going experience and bring additional revenue to studios and exhibitors,” said Atom Tickets co-founder and executive chairman Matthew Bakal.

    “The Atom Tickets app and platform is bringing innovation to the ticketing market by empowering social networks and mobile devices to make the movie-going experience seamless and convenient. Their technology not only adds value to the consumer, but also helps movie studios and theaters by providing deep consumer insights, advanced analytics, and concession and ticket couponing,” added The Walt Disney Company chief strategy officer Kevin Mayer.

    “Our innovative e-commerce platform utilises cutting edge data analysis and targeting techniques to help connect movie-goers to films that they and their friends will love,” said Atom Tickets co-founder and CEO Ameesh Paleja.

    “This is an exciting opportunity for us and more importantly, for our audiences. Atom Tickets provides an enhanced social experience for consumers to discover and purchase tickets to movies, designed for ease of use on mobile devices. Atom’s unique interface and integration with movie fans’ social networks creates a streamlined, fun way to go to movies with friends,” said 20thCentury Fox chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos.

    “We believe that Atom Tickets has the potential to revolutionize the way audiences go to the movies, and we’re delighted to partner with blue chip studios like Disney and Fox in this cutting edge initiative for the theatrical business. More than four billion seats go unsold in theaters each year, and Matthew, Ameesh and the Atom team have developed a state-of-the-art app that offers exciting new opportunities to pre-purchase tickets and concessions as well as paving the way for the successful introduction of dynamic ticket pricing,” said Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns.

    Established in 2014, Atom Tickets’ Series A funding was led by Lionsgate. The app is currently available in select test markets, with a full national rollout planned for later this year.

  • Disney, Fox, Lionsgate invest $50 million in Atom Tickets

    Disney, Fox, Lionsgate invest $50 million in Atom Tickets

    MUMBAI: Three Hollywood studios namely The Walt Disney Company, 20th Century Fox and Lionsgate have invested $50 million in a theatrical mobile ticketing platform and app company Atom Tickets.

    Atom Tickets is a social, mobile ticketing platform designed to make movie-going simple. Movie fans can use the service to purchase tickets and concessions, coordinate and invite friends without having to pay for them, and skip the lines at the theater. The app is available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

    “We’re thrilled to partner with some of the most forward-thinking media companies, exhibitors and trailblazers in the entertainment business. By bringing convenience to consumers and innovation to theaters, we will enhance the movie-going experience and bring additional revenue to studios and exhibitors,” said Atom Tickets co-founder and executive chairman Matthew Bakal.

    “The Atom Tickets app and platform is bringing innovation to the ticketing market by empowering social networks and mobile devices to make the movie-going experience seamless and convenient. Their technology not only adds value to the consumer, but also helps movie studios and theaters by providing deep consumer insights, advanced analytics, and concession and ticket couponing,” added The Walt Disney Company chief strategy officer Kevin Mayer.

    “Our innovative e-commerce platform utilises cutting edge data analysis and targeting techniques to help connect movie-goers to films that they and their friends will love,” said Atom Tickets co-founder and CEO Ameesh Paleja.

    “This is an exciting opportunity for us and more importantly, for our audiences. Atom Tickets provides an enhanced social experience for consumers to discover and purchase tickets to movies, designed for ease of use on mobile devices. Atom’s unique interface and integration with movie fans’ social networks creates a streamlined, fun way to go to movies with friends,” said 20thCentury Fox chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos.

    “We believe that Atom Tickets has the potential to revolutionize the way audiences go to the movies, and we’re delighted to partner with blue chip studios like Disney and Fox in this cutting edge initiative for the theatrical business. More than four billion seats go unsold in theaters each year, and Matthew, Ameesh and the Atom team have developed a state-of-the-art app that offers exciting new opportunities to pre-purchase tickets and concessions as well as paving the way for the successful introduction of dynamic ticket pricing,” said Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns.

    Established in 2014, Atom Tickets’ Series A funding was led by Lionsgate. The app is currently available in select test markets, with a full national rollout planned for later this year.

  • Rentrak acquires Hollywood Software

    Rentrak acquires Hollywood Software

    MUMBAI: Rentrak has acquired Hollywood Software, Inc. (HSI), a Los Angeles-based company that develops enterprise software for managing key elements of the digital movie distribution and exhibition industries.

     

    Rentrak’s acquisition of HSI advances its mission to provide highly valuable, never-before-seen analytic tools to the motion picture industry. By combining Rentrak’s movie and television intelligence—including Video on Demand viewing information—with Hollywood Software’s studio and theater planning systems, this partnership will give movie studios an enhanced scope of a film’s success and revenue streams by providing a more comprehensive understanding of a film’s total viewership over its lifespan.

     

    “Rentrak’s acquisition of Hollywood Software advances our commitment to the movie industry by continuing to provide products that enable studios and theaters to drive movie attendance and provide an enhanced movie-going experience,” said Rentrak’s worldwide movie measurement business president Ron Giambra.

     

    “I am excited to join the Rentrak team to help develop new systems that optimise the talents of both market-leading companies,” said Hollywood Software’s David Gajda.

     

    Hollywood Software’s Theatrical Distribution System (TDS) is installed in more than 30 studios in the US and Canada including 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures and Lionsgate. Its Digital Cinema Theatre Management System (TCC) product is currently used to manage more than 15,000 screens worldwide.

  • Rentrak acquires Hollywood Software

    Rentrak acquires Hollywood Software

    MUMBAI: Rentrak has acquired Hollywood Software, Inc. (HSI), a Los Angeles-based company that develops enterprise software for managing key elements of the digital movie distribution and exhibition industries.

     

    Rentrak’s acquisition of HSI advances its mission to provide highly valuable, never-before-seen analytic tools to the motion picture industry. By combining Rentrak’s movie and television intelligence—including Video on Demand viewing information—with Hollywood Software’s studio and theater planning systems, this partnership will give movie studios an enhanced scope of a film’s success and revenue streams by providing a more comprehensive understanding of a film’s total viewership over its lifespan.

     

    “Rentrak’s acquisition of Hollywood Software advances our commitment to the movie industry by continuing to provide products that enable studios and theaters to drive movie attendance and provide an enhanced movie-going experience,” said Rentrak’s worldwide movie measurement business president Ron Giambra.

     

    “I am excited to join the Rentrak team to help develop new systems that optimise the talents of both market-leading companies,” said Hollywood Software’s David Gajda.

     

    Hollywood Software’s Theatrical Distribution System (TDS) is installed in more than 30 studios in the US and Canada including 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures and Lionsgate. Its Digital Cinema Theatre Management System (TCC) product is currently used to manage more than 15,000 screens worldwide.

  • Discovery Communications inks long-term distribution deal with Lionsgate

    Discovery Communications inks long-term distribution deal with Lionsgate

    MUMBAI: Discovery Communications and Lionsgate have entered an exclusive long-term agreement wherein the latter will distribute programming from Discovery’s network portfolio across packaged media platforms in the United States.

     

    The agreement encompasses DVD and Blu-ray distribution of Discovery’s portfolio of series and specials spanning its network brands, including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and Investigation Discovery.

     

    The first release under the agreement will be the 23 February, 2016 Blu-ray and DVD release of Racing Extinction, the landmark documentary, which had its worldwide premiere yesterday on Discovery Channel in more than 220 markets. The film, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Louie Psihoyos, tells the story of a team of artists and activists on an undercover operation to expose the hidden world of endangered species and the race to protect them against mass extinction. Spanning the globe to infiltrate the world’s most dangerous black markets and using high tech tactics to document the link between carbon emissions and species extinction, Racing Extinction reveals stunning, never-before seen images that truly change the way we see the world.

     

    “We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Discovery, home of some of the most exciting brands on television, and delighted to bring their diverse and growing portfolio of programming to our home entertainment consumers. Racing Extinction is a powerful and topical documentary by an acclaimed filmmaker that has taken television audiences by storm, and it reflects the world-class quality of Discovery’s great pipeline of content,” said Lionsgate home entertainment president Ron Schwartz.

     

    “We’re delighted to partner with Lionsgate, which operates one of the industry’s leading home entertainment businesses, and eager to leverage their marketing prowess and distribution expertise for titles across our portfolio. Lionsgate is a strong partner and Racing Extinction is an ideal title to launch our partnership and create new opportunities for both our companies,” added Discovery Communications SVP digital distribution and partnerships Rebecca Glashow.

     

    In addition to Lionsgate’s own film and television pipelines and the Discovery Communications content announced today, the company’s home entertainment business distributes content from other leading third-party suppliers including STUDIOCANAL, Miramax, A24 and Roadside Attractions.

     

    The agreement extends the strategic relationship between the two companies announced last month, under which Discovery Communications agreed to purchase five million common shares of Lionsgate. Liberty Global also purchased five million common shares, resulting in each company having an approximately 3.4 per cent shareholding of Lionsgate’s current outstanding shares. Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslav and Liberty Global president and CEO Mike Fries also were named to the Lionsgate board of directors.

  • Lionsgate inks 30+ licensee partners for ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise

    Lionsgate inks 30+ licensee partners for ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise

    MUMBAI: Lionsgate is celebrating the final chapter of its blockbuster The Hunger Games film franchise with the introduction of a new collection of themed products inspired by the franchise, including offerings specific to the upcoming final installment, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, which premieres in theaters on 20 November, 2015.

     

    The merchandising program, the largest of its kind handled by Lionsgate’s internal consumer products team, includes a comprehensive, cross-category product lineup that ranges from apparel, accessories and jewelry, to the iconic Mockingjay pins from each of the films, to trend and collectible products.

     

    The themed products are being licensed in partnership with numerous partners, including global toymaker Mattel; design and merchandising company of apparel and accessories, Bioworld Merchandising; pop-culture collectible maker Funko; monthly geek and gaming gear subscription service Loot Crate; worldwide costume and costume accessories licensee Rubie’s Costume Company; and wall art, stationary and accessories manufacturer Pyramid International.

     

    The World of The Hunger Games collection delivers the most iconic moments from the past three films, including The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1. With the release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, an entirely new collection of products were developed using creative elements that focus on the climatic events from the final film.

     

    “The release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 allows us to celebrate the entire film franchise with Hunger Games fans worldwide. Our partners from around the world have created an amazing assortment of products that deliver the heart and emotion of The Hunger Games franchise,” said Lionsgate SVP franchise management, domestic consumer products Randy Shoemaker and Lionsgate SVP franchise management, international consumer products Sheila Clarke.

     

    The World of The Hunger Games products will be available at retailers and specialty stores worldwide.

  • Lionsgate and Skydance Media ink global television distribution pact

    Lionsgate and Skydance Media ink global television distribution pact

    MUMBAI: Lionsgate and Skydance have formed a global television distribution pact. The launch of newly-created label Skydance International, which will feature Skydance Media’s current and emerging premium television properties around the world following their initial US broadcast, augments Lionsgate’s worldwide distribution pipeline and permits the two companies to tap opportunities across the global television marketplace.

     

    The global distribution pact will encompass programming led by Skydance’s Emmy-nominated television series Grace and Frankie and the dramaManhattan (produced in partnership with Lionsgate and Tribune Studios), as well as a number of new properties that Skydance is developing for the international television marketplace.

     

    These include Lore, which is executive produced by McG and written by Zack Stentz, and Madness of Angels, which is inspired by Kate Griffin’s six-book fantasy series. The project is executive produced by Neil Burger, who is also slated to direct, and written by rising star UK-based writer Ben Vanstone.

     

    “We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Skydance Media, one of the hottest and most dynamic film and television studios in the industry. The Skydance brand is synonymous with big, bold, quality entertainment events, and their television slate complements our global distribution pipeline. We’re excited to partner with them on all forms of global distribution, from the traditional to the disruptive, and we’ll focus on innovative deals that reflect today’s dynamic television ecosystem,” said Lionsgate president of worldwide television & digital distribution Jim Packer.

     

    “We believe joining together with Lionsgate – one of the most cutting-edge and creative content companies in the world – will strongly position the Skydance Media brand for success as we make our debut in the international television marketplace. We’ve worked hard to create premium, branded content that will resonate with audiences worldwide, and this new partnership with Lionsgate will accelerate our ability to distribute our shows far and wide across platforms and around the globe in conjunction with the launch of Skydance International,” added Skydance Media founder and CEO David Ellison.

     

    As part of today’s announcement, Brandon Zimon has been named as Skydance Media senior vice present of international television sales and co-productions. 

     

    “In this important new role, Brandon will be responsible for collaborating with Lionsgate to expand the reach of our new and existing television properties around the world and for independently executing international television acquisitions for Skydance Media,” said Skydance COO Jesse Sisgold.

     

    Zimon joins Skydance Media from Sony Pictures Television, where he spent over a decade, most recently as vice president of international distribution.

  • Lionsgate inks movie output deal with Disney’s Buena Vista for Russia

    Lionsgate inks movie output deal with Disney’s Buena Vista for Russia

    MUMBAI: Reflecting its continued growth in a major international territory, Lionsgate has forged an output deal with Disney’s Buena Vista International (BVI), for distribution of its titles in Russia and the rest of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

     

    The agreement will kick off with Lionsgate’s revenge thriller Sicario this fall and will also encompass titles as: Francis Lawrence’s adventure fantasy, The Odyssey; the first live action Saban’s Power Rangers film; and the film adaptation of Hasbro’s Monopoly.

     

    “We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Buena Vista International through this output agreement in a major territory with enormous upside. We’re pleased to continue building our BVI relationship with a powerful, commercially exciting slate loaded with blockbuster tentpoles, potential franchises and star-driven event films,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman and Lionsgate International COO Andrew Kramer.

     

    “BVI’s stature, experience and tremendous track record coupled with Lionsgate’s diverse film portfolio promise significant upside for both companies. This new output agreement reflects our commitment to Russia and our continued emergence as a creative force in the global marketplace,” added Lionsgate EVP of international sales Crystal Bourbeau.

     

    Lionsgate previously teamed with BVI on Summit Entertainment label films including the Japanese release of the action thriller Red, the release of the Step Up franchise in Japan and the Spanish and Japanese releases of Source Code and Tree of Life. Most recently, both companies announced that they will be launching the fourth installment of the global blockbuster The Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, on 19 November in Russia and CIS.

  • Essel Vision bags distribution rights of Lionsgate’s ‘The Last Witch Hunter’

    Essel Vision bags distribution rights of Lionsgate’s ‘The Last Witch Hunter’

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited’s (Zeel) content studio, Essel Vision Productions has acquired the distribution and marketing rights of Lionsgate’s supernatural thriller The Last Witch Hunter starring Vin Diesel.

     

    Essel Vision recently revealed the first look of the movie to moviegoers in India.

     

    The company will release the film in theatres across India a day prior to its worldwide release on Thursday, 22 October, 2015. The Last Witch Hunter features an ensemble cast led by Diesel, Academy Award-winning Michael Caine and Rose Leslie, widely acclaimed for her role as Ygritte in the blockbuster series Game of Thrones. The film is directed by Breck Eisner.

     

    Essel Vision Studio business head Akash Chawla said, “We’re always looking to collaborate with the most successful content companies in the world as well as to give new filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work. Following our successful ventures into television, short form content, Bollywood, regional cinema and music, our exclusive deal with global content leader Lionsgate to handle all the marketing and distribution of The Last Witch Hunter in India cements our leadership in handling Hollywood blockbusters as well.”

     

    “Vin Diesel is one of the biggest action heroes on the planet. Following the record-breaking success of Furious 7, his next film is breathlessly anticipated by his fans here in India and around the world. Today’s sneak peek marks the first step in our innovative and aggressive marketing campaign to ensure that the film receives the mammoth reception it deserves,” added Chawla. 

     

    “The Last Witch Hunter showcases action superstar Vin Diesel at his exciting best, and we’re delighted to partner with our friends at Zee Entertainment to bring his latest thriller to Indian moviegoers,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman.

     

    “The large and fast-growing Indian marketplace offers tremendous opportunities. With their marketing prowess and distribution expertise, Zee Entertainment is the right partner, The Last Witch Hunter is the right film and Vin Diesel is the right superstar to help us conquer the box office there,” they said.

     

    Essel Vision will also make its foray into Hindi motion pictures in October with the release of Jazbaa, starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Irrfan Khan, which is being directed by Sanjay Gupta.

  • Lionsgate roars with 24 Emmy nominations

    Lionsgate roars with 24 Emmy nominations

    MUMBAI: Lionsgate’s series Orange Is The New Black, Mad Men, Nurse Jackie and Manhattan, and its limited series Houdini earned a total of 24 Emmy nominations.

     

    These include an eighth consecutive Outstanding Drama Series nomination for four-time Emmy winner Mad Men (AMC); a Drama Series nomination for Orange Is The New Black (Netflix); and four lead acting nominations including Mad Men’s Jon Hamm (his eighth consecutive drama nod) and Elisabeth Moss (her fifth nomination in this category), Nurse Jackie’s Edie Falco (an Emmy winner and six-time nominee for this role), and Adrien Brody, who landed his first Emmy nomination for Houdini.

     

    Mad Men’s 11 nominations also include nods for Christina Hendricks as Supporting Actress (her sixth nomination), two Writing nominations, as well as nods for Production Design, Casting, Editing, Hairstyling and Makeup.

     

    Orange Is The New Black scored a total of four nominations, including nods for Uzo Aduba as Supporting Actress, Pablo Schreiber as Guest Actor, and Casting, along with its Drama Series nomination.

     

    In addition to Edie Falco’s nomination for Nurse Jackie and Adrien Brody’s nomination for Houdini, Lionsgate picked up six additional Houdini nods in the Directing, Cinematography, Picture Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Makeup categories, as well as a Main Title Design nomination for Manhattan. 

     

    “We’re extremely proud of our incredible roster of nominated shows and we thank the TV Academy for this tremendous recognition. These nominations underscore our commitment to producing highly entertaining and original programs that resonate deeply with viewers and inspire broader cultural conversation,” said Lionsgate Television Group chairman Kevin Beggs.